Holiday griddle

[Jenise]

Okay, not usually one for gadgets or gimmicks, but in Canada last week I came across a flat griddle with six round approximately 3.5" little depressions in it for making little pancakes. Each has a raised snowflake in the center that will imprint itself onto whatever pancake is cooked in it. For some reason I couldn't resist, only now I haven't a clue what to do with it. I'm not interested in sweet pancakes, but rather something savory that would make a great appetizer to take to someone else's house for Christmas Eve. Any ideas, anyone?

This is a joke, right?! Jenise is not asking for food/recipe recommendations, obviously. So, are you asking for different ways to use this griddle?

Æbleskiver!!!! You can fill them with savory fillings, such as ham and cheese or spinach and feta. The possibilities abound. How about toasted pine nuts and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano? Just fill them halfway with batter, add your filling and then a dollop of batter on top. The trick is learning how to flip the little beasties to cook them on all sides. We use two bamboo skewers cut down to 4" for that purpose. The Williams-Sonoma batter mix is somewhat sweet with vanilla overtones, so you'd be better of using one of the recipes on the Web.

Mark Lipton

I hope it came with a nice gaudy sweater

Blini with caviar? I've never made them; maybe they wouldn't hold the "embossing"?

[Jenise]

Æbleskiver!!!! You can fill them with savory fillings, such as ham and cheese or spinach and feta. The possibilities abound. How about toasted pine nuts and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano? Just fill them halfway with batter, add your filling and then a dollop of batter on top. The trick is learning how to flip the little beasties to cook them on all sides. We use two bamboo skewers cut down to 4" for that purpose. The Williams-Sonoma batter mix is somewhat sweet with vanilla overtones, so you'd be better of using one of the recipes on the Web.

Mark Lipton

No, not abelskiver--I know why you thought so, I didn't describe it well enough. Sorry! The depressions are flat, only about 1/4" deep: truly, it will make pancakes.

[Jenise]

I hope it came with a nice gaudy sweater

Blini with caviar? I've never made them; maybe they wouldn't hold the "embossing"?

Since it's Costco I should answer no, FOUR sweaters. But blini--these might be too small to actually roll up the way you would a blini. The caviar idea works though--this will be a bastard version of the Italian-Catholic 7 fishes dinner, so everything will be seafood. Maybe I should do something with smoked salmon.

[Jenise]

This is a joke, right?! Jenise is not asking for food/recipe recommendations, obviously. So, are you asking for different ways to use this griddle?

Was just thinking out loud about what kind of little pancake would be firm enough to hold food. Scott's suggestion has me thinking about crepes, which is about the only savory pancake-like thing I do--though my initial thought was more like johnny cakes.

Stack'em with a smear of filling between - torte like. Sauce the plate. Cool garnish.

I like the buckwheat/salmon idea but I've been fooling around with a very finely ground organic corn flour that would lend itself to a whole different profile for savory fillings.

Don't know if it's the same thing but I have a pan- inherited from the Norwegian in-laws that they call Swedish pancakes - aluminum, 5-6 shallow round depressions, no design. These are even more difficult to turn than the 'skivers. Have only every used it for sweeter breakfast cakes spread with lingonberry jam, rolled or stacked. The savory idea is terrific and I just might have my New Years day primi taking shape !

BTW ---after many tries on the "Swedish pancake "pan and the very old, aluminum ebelskiver pan I discovered that the best way to cook them is in a drop or 2 of clarified butter. The flavor is superior to any oils, no milk solids to burn and stands a higher temp.

[Jenise]

BTW ---after many tries on the "Swedish pancake "pan and the very old, aluminum ebelskiver pan I discovered that the best way to cook them is in a drop or 2 of clarified butter. The flavor is superior to any oils, no milk solids to burn and stands a higher temp.

Great tip. I'll photograph my pan tomorrow and post for you. Swedish pancake pan it very well may be, though I laugh to think that it came with a recipe for buttermilk pancakes that gave me no clue as to ethnic origins! I think the pan's Nordic Ware--maybe they figured it was obvious?

Are the cups deep enough to make waffles? (If so, then I will poke Jay Miller to give out the yeast-raised waffle recipe he uses. I own a heart-shaped-waffle-maker but it has been in his kitchen for decades because this recipe is so good.)

[Jenise]

Are the cups deep enough to make waffles? (If so, then I will poke Jay Miller to give out the yeast-raised waffle recipe he uses. I own a heart-shaped-waffle-maker but it has been in his kitchen for decades because this recipe is so good.)

No, just 1/4" deep. Definitely a flat, thin cake of a thing-maker. But mmm, waffles sound good. No breakfast yet!

Okay, not usually one for gadgets or gimmicks, but in Canada last week I came across a flat griddle with six round approximately 3.5" little depressions in it for making little pancakes. Each has a raised snowflake in the center that will imprint itself onto whatever pancake is cooked in it. For some reason I couldn't resist, only now I haven't a clue what to do with it. I'm not interested in sweet pancakes, but rather something savory that would make a great appetizer to take to someone else's house for Christmas Eve. Any ideas, anyone?

Jenise, I have two granddaughters who do not eat syrup with their pancakes. It is butter only with very occasionally syrup on the side for dipping. If you put this thing aside, and one day it gets on your nerves, tell me the purchase price plus shipping and I'll buy it for them. See what kind of granddad I am!

[Jenise]

Okay, not usually one for gadgets or gimmicks, but in Canada last week I came across a flat griddle with six round approximately 3.5" little depressions in it for making little pancakes. Each has a raised snowflake in the center that will imprint itself onto whatever pancake is cooked in it. For some reason I couldn't resist, only now I haven't a clue what to do with it. I'm not interested in sweet pancakes, but rather something savory that would make a great appetizer to take to someone else's house for Christmas Eve. Any ideas, anyone?

Jenise, I have two granddaughters who do not eat syrup with their pancakes. It is butter only with very occasionally syrup on the side for dipping. If you put this thing aside, and one day it gets on your nerves, tell me the purchase price plus shipping and I'll buy it for them. See what kind of granddad I am!

Okay, it's yours! Where do I send it?

Okay, it's yours! Where do I send it?

Check your private message(s)

Jenise, did you get my reply? check your pm inbox.